Buffaloes edge Ntopwa FC

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

GREEN Buffaloes Women’s Football Club snatched their first win at the ongoing 2023 CAF Women’s Champions| COSAFA qualifiers after edging Ntopwa FC of Malawi 1-0 in a Group A fixture played at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

A first half goal from striker Maweta Chilenga gifted the Nyanta girls the victory as they seek to defend the regional title to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Buffaloes. who started the regional tournament with a 1-1 stalemate against Namibian champions Double Action had dominated the match from the first whistle and created numerous chances.

The Zambian champions however struggled to convert the chances into goals as they settled for a narrow 1-0 win over the Malawian champions.

Buffaloes first attempt on goal came in the seventh minute when Agnes Phiri tried her luck with an attempt which went wide.

Midfielder Joana Benaya’s tried her luck with a shot which hit the crossbar in the 18th minute.

Four minutes before the half hour mark, Chilenga broke the deadlock after benefitting from Agness Phiri’s assist.

Buffaloes could have doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Salome Phiri came close from close range but sent her effort wide.

In the second half, Buffaloes coach Carol Kanyemba brought in Lubasi Pumulo and Bwalya Namute Chileshe for Maweta Chilenga and Agnes Phiri while Salome Phiri and Maylan Mulenga paved way for Siomala Mapepa and Comfort Selemani.

Despite having dominated ball possession, Buffaloes continued to misfire to settle for a 1-0 win which propelled them to four points, on par with Double Action who stunned Lesotho Defence Force 1-0 in a lunchtime kickoff.

Buffaloes will now face Lesotho Defence Force in their final group fixture while Ntopwa FC will take on Double Action in the last group game.

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